Reinforcements required at Etihad Stadium?
Chelsea v Man City free stream
1. Daniele de Rossi
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has not been particularly coy about his interest in AS Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if [de Rossi] stays in Rome,’ said Mancini. ‘But if he doesn’t sign [a new contract], City will be ready.
“It’s difficult to tear away a Roman footballer – and Roma fan – from Rome. As Romans are tied up in their origins and lifestyle.
“But if one day De Rossi is on the market, Manchester City will try – like Real Madrid, Chelsea and all the big clubs.
“He is one of the few players who can be slot into the best teams in the world – a complete midfielder with class and experience.”
Having gone public with his need for a world class midfielder to sit at the base of his midfield, de Rossi is surely at the top of the list.
While they have dropped into the UEFA Europa League this season, the Italy international can surely see that Man City appear likely to participate in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
2. Alessio Cerci
Roberto Mancini has clearly been taking lessons from the Barcelona school of transfers:
State your admiration for a player infinity times, wait until they say they want to go to your club, then make their dream come true.
Mancini has gone on record to describe Fiorentina winger Cerci as someone “able to do extraordinary things,” and admitted City attempted to sign the Italian in August.
“We tried again in the summer because I thought he might make an important contribution and mix well with the players here,” said Mancini.
Cerci is still flirting with the idea though, and is playing somewhat hard to get.
“It was a real pleasure to be linked with a club who are as important as Manchester City, but Fiorentina are my present and future,” he claimed in November.
With Fiorentina languishing down in 14th in the Serie A table though, perhaps Cerci might be more open to an offer in January.
3. Eden Hazard
How can Manchester City improve? Only by signing the best players not already at the biggest clubs.
Lille flyer Eden Hazard has long been linked with Arsenal and Real Madrid, but if Man City came calling, the Belgian might be tempted by a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Roberto Mancini has rotated the likes of James Milner, Samir Nasri and Mario Balotelli on the left, but none of them are a permanent fixture in the way that David Silva in his free role on the opposite flank.
Eden Hazard is ready for a step up to either La Liga or the Premier League, and would provide Manchester City with an incredible outlet.
As well as trickery and a genuine goal threat, Hazard is very quick, and City would be even more feared on the counterattack with him in their team.
Of course, this isn’t to say Hazard will sign, but such is the depth of their squad, it is difficult to see much room for improvement across the pitch.